Compare towns

Plainfield vs Middlesex vs Danube

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Plainfield has the youngest population (median age 34.5).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Danube has the most kids (30.9% under 18).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasurePlainfieldMiddlesexDanube
People
Population
1,016
1,943Highest
888Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-8.3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
34.5±6.6Lowest
11% below U.S.
44.4±3.9Highest
14% above U.S.
38.2±5
about the U.S. average
Middlesex and Danube are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.6%±2.8Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.1
U.S.: 22%
30.9%±4.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
Age 65+
14.5%±2.7Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
17.8%±1.9
U.S.: 17.2%
Middlesex and Danube are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
28.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
54.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
23.5%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
14.9%±11.2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±2.6Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Plainfield and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$70,673±$6k
12% below U.S.
$109,632±$13kHighest
36% above U.S.
$67,917±$23kLowest
16% below U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$155,100±$17k
53% below U.S.
$376,300±$40kHighest
13% above U.S.
$144,600±$24kLowest
57% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$750±$207Lowest
47% below U.S.
$1,333±$359Highest
6% below U.S.
$1,125±$566
20% below U.S.
Middlesex and Danube are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,667Lowest
14% below U.S.
$6,483Highest
108% above U.S.
$2,850
9% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
40.6%±43.5Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
24%±98.5
U.S.: 51.1%
Plainfield and Danube are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
12.2%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.6%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
96.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
91.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977
3 yrs older than U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1975Lowest
5 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minHighest
11% above U.S.
27 minLowest
4% above U.S.
28 min
6% above U.S.
Work from home
11.5%±4.7
U.S.: 15.1%
28.4%±10.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
6.5%±4.6Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
School district — Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 —
High school in town — None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.